Mortgage protection

Protect your home on your terms.

Mortgage protection is life insurance designed around your home loan. If something happens to you, the policy helps your family pay off (or keep paying on) the mortgage — so they don't lose the place they live on top of losing you.

See your coverage number or book a 5-minute call

What it actually is

It's life insurance — sized to your mortgage.

Mortgage protection isn't a special product invented by your lender. It's regular life insurance, structured so the death benefit roughly matches your home loan balance — and usually so the term length matches the years you have left to pay.

If something happens to you during that period, the payout goes directly to your beneficiary (usually your spouse or partner), not to the bank. They decide whether to pay off the mortgage in one shot, keep making the monthly payments, or something in between.

Important to clear up: mortgage protection is not the same as PMI (private mortgage insurance), even though the names sound similar. PMI is what your lender requires when you put down less than 20% — it protects the lender if you default. It does nothing for your family.

If you've been told your mortgage is "covered" because you have PMI, you don't actually have any protection for the people in your house. That's the most common misunderstanding I hear, and it's the one that worries me most.

One more thing to know: not everyone qualifies for a policy large enough to cover the whole mortgage. Older couples, or anyone with significant health history, may only be approved for a smaller amount. That's still worth doing. Even partial coverage gives your family time and choices — they can keep paying for a few years while they figure out next steps, or downsize on their own terms instead of the bank's.

What it covers, what it doesn't

What it does

Pays out a death benefit to your beneficiary if you die during the policy term
Death benefit is typically tax-free for the beneficiary
Some policies include "living benefits" that may pay early if you're diagnosed with a terminal, chronic, or critical illness — I'll walk you through which carriers offer that
Your family decides how to use the money — they can pay off the mortgage in full, keep making monthly payments, or use it for other needs
Both spouses can be covered — we'll talk through whether one policy or two makes more sense for your situation
Even partial coverage (when health or age limits the maximum) gives your family time and options — not an immediate cliff

What it doesn't do

It doesn't cover damage to the house — that's homeowners insurance
It doesn't replace lost income beyond the death benefit amount
It doesn't pay your mortgage if you fall behind on payments while alive — that's a different conversation we can have separately if it's a concern
It usually doesn't include long-term care or nursing home costs
It expires when the term ends — if you outlive the policy, there's no payout

Who this fits

If any of these sound like you, it's worth a conversation.

You just bought a home

You've taken on the biggest loan of your life. Coverage now is cheapest because you're (probably) at your healthiest.

You have kids and a single income

If your income disappeared, who would keep paying for the place your kids live? This is the question this coverage answers.

You upgraded the house but not the policy

If you bought a new home or refinanced into a bigger mortgage, the old policy probably doesn't match the new balance.

You only have life insurance through work

That coverage typically goes away when the job does. Mortgage protection follows you regardless of employment changes.

You're closer to retirement

Even if your age or health limits the policy size, partial coverage gives your family options to leave on their own terms — not just the bank's.

How I work

No pressure. No jargon. Just patience.

We talk about who's in the house

Spouse, kids, anyone else depending on the income. Then we look at the mortgage balance, the term, and your monthly payment. The coverage flows from the situation, not the other way around.

I shop carriers until something fits

Different carriers underwrite differently — age, health, smoking status, hobbies. If one says no, that's not the end. I work with multiple carriers and find the one that fits your situation and budget.

You see 2–3 options and decide

I'll lay out a few options at different price points — usually a baseline, a stronger version with living benefits, and something in between. We talk through what fits and decide together.

Common questions about mortgage protection

Things people ask before we talk.

I have life insurance through work — isn't that enough?

Usually no, for two reasons. First, group life through an employer typically ends when the job does — you change jobs, you lose the coverage. Second, the amount is often capped at one or two times your annual salary, which rarely covers a mortgage. Personal coverage stays with you and is sized to what you actually need.

How long should the term be?

The simplest answer: match it to the years you have left on the mortgage. If you're 32 with a 30-year loan, a 30-year term lines up. If you're 52 with 18 years left, a 20-year term gives you a small buffer. Term policies generally get more expensive the longer they run, so matching the loan keeps cost in check.

Should both spouses be covered?

Almost always, yes — even if only one of you earns income. A stay-at-home parent provides labor that would cost real money to replace (childcare, household management, transportation). And if both spouses contribute income, both should be covered for at least a portion of the mortgage. We'll figure out the right split.

What if my health isn't great?

Different carriers underwrite very differently. A condition that's an automatic decline at one carrier might be approvable at another with a small rate increase. This is exactly the situation where having access to many carriers matters — I shop until I find one that works. It often takes longer, but it usually works.

Can I add living benefits to mortgage protection?

Often, yes — many term policies can include living benefits that let you access part of the death benefit early if you're diagnosed with a terminal, chronic, or critical illness. Not every carrier offers this, and the specifics vary. I'll walk you through which options include them when we look at quotes.

How much does mortgage protection cost?

Less than most people think. A healthy adult in their 30s or 40s often pays $20–60 a month for substantial term coverage — less than a phone bill. Cost depends on your age, health, the coverage amount, and the term length. We'll get you actual quotes (not estimates) before any decision.

What if I can't qualify for a policy that covers my whole mortgage?

It's still worth doing. Sometimes — especially for older couples or people with significant health history — the carriers will only approve a smaller policy. That's not a failure; it's a buffer. Partial coverage gives your family time and options to leave on their own terms, not just the bank's. They can keep making payments for a few years while they figure out next steps, downsize on their own timeline, or stay in the home longer than they otherwise could.

When you're ready

Want me to look at your numbers?

Tell me your mortgage balance, your situation, and what's worrying you. We'll talk through your options on a quick call — no pressure, no obligation, and no decisions you have to make in the moment.

Book a 5-minute call Or see your coverage number first

Licensed in 7 states · NPN 22066980 · Verify my licenses